Easter Decor

    Good morning! I wish I could say it was a beautiful spring morning here in Helvetia, but I woke up to frost and fog. But, I sure hope it's a lovely day where you are! As we approach the Easter holiday, I thought I'd share some easy decorating vignettes I set out around my home. Nothing fancy this year as I am not hosting, but I think the photos show that incorporating seasonal decor items with everyday things keeps the cost and trouble low while still making the home feel celebratory. Enjoy...and may you have a wonderful and blessed holiday! -S

You may recognize this display from my last post...a quick switch of containers and it was ready!

A branch set in plaster of Paris makes the perfect Easter tree!
I sprayed mine white to give it a birch tree effect.

The addition of faux eggs to an ordinary lantern gives it that Easter-y feel!

Kitchen countertop...paper napkins make a cute decorative (and practical) addition!

Dining room built-in buffet...I just need flowers in the little vintage pitcher!

A silver-handled dessert tray makes the perfect resting spot for this Easter nest! 

The living room mantel...vintage postcard, a porcelain gift from Mom,
and greenery livens up the usual candle sticks and art.

Piano in the entry hall...I use this vintage children's piano music
book for every holiday. Love the illustrations!

St. Patrick's Day Countertop Vignette

 I've always had mixed feelings about faux flowers, but these lily of the valley bunches have me convinced that they can liven up the place. I just wish they would smell like the real thing...ahh, wouldn't that be heavenly? Until then, I'll just patiently await the real thing's arrival in my garden next month.  In any case, just wanted to share this cute St. Patrick's Day vignette from my kitchen.  I don't have a lot of decorations for this holiday (even though my husband is half Irish), but I think a wee bit is just what the leprechaun ordered!  

Sources: Garland, Hobby Lobby. Lily of the Valley stems, Michaels. Pitcher and Candle, Home Goods. Ribbon, JoAnn.

109,000 to be exact! Thanks for stopping by...and be sure to leave a comment on your favorite projects!

 

Holiday Decorating...Gearing up for Easter!

    March may seem like an odd time to post a couple of Christmas decorating photos, but as soon as I'm past St. Patrick's Day on Thursday I'll be putting up Easter and I thought it might be fun to talk about how to use simple items to make a big impact on your holiday decorating scheme. A few highlights from the photos...decide on a color scheme, add clear canister jars filled with colorful candy (inexpensive and easy), tie ribbons (a favorite of mine, the more the better!), layout dishware, and use crisp classic table linens.  Another addition...whimsy.   I like to add collectibles gathered over the years from family, estate sales, and after-season sales to fill in the scenes I create around the house. Hope these images get your creative juices flowing, and I'll be back next week with some ideas on Easter decorating that will celebrate the true meaning of the season and have the Easter Bunny hopping with excitement!

A touch of vintage adds to the curated feel...vintage napkins, goblets, and Santa, of course!

Notice how the long tails on the chandelier ribbons add drama!

BFF Friendship Bracelets

 Okay, the last one for today! This is a super simple personalization of some store-bought (Fred Meyer) friendship bracelets I found on clearance after Valentine's Day.  Of course, you could make your own bracelets to attach to the FREE printable card as well. And, as I post this, I've realized I don't have a picture of the finished product. But, basically, all you're doing is making a new version of the card they came on. A quick punch of a standard hole punch on each end of the card will give you the little notches you need. Friends are the best, aren't they?!

Dollar Tree Sleep Mask Upgrade...Dancer Style!

 Here's the second project of the day, including a FREE printable tag (sized to fold and fit over the original tag)! These sleep masks are just a basic black satin version purchased at Dollar Tree (earplugs included) that I've embellished with some iron-on glitter vinyl lettering made on my Cricut using the "Market Deco" font and a brush lettering font. If you don't have one, you can always purchase pre-made letters at the craft store or use puffy paint if you've got a really steady hand.  Sleep tight!

Free Printable Tags!

Upcycle...Dancer's Mini Hair-do Kit

 Hello! I know it's been a while...okay, a long while. But, life in 2020 comes at us fast, right?! I've been going through my photos and realized there were a couple projects I never shared before leaving my dance team days behind me last spring when our schools closed for the year due to Covid-19.  The first is an upcycle using plastic chewing gum containers (Extra brand). I did use my Cricut machine to embellish the mini hair-do kit, but there are lots of options for those without one including stickers, paint pens, or permanent markers.  I started by cutting a cute piece of bow print scrapbooking cardstock paper to 4" x 2-1/2" to hold the hair elastics and bobby pins.  To hold the elastics in place, I used a hole punch just on the edge to create a groove for them to sit in.  Obviously, you could fit a lot more supplies inside (like hairnets, mini-elastics, etc.) but, I was making them to sell so it was just for demonstration effect. I think these would make a really cute "Welcome to the Team" type gift, or a secret sister gift, or even a stocking stuffer for your favorite dancer. The list goes on, but needless to say, if you start collecting these plastic gum cases they're useful for many purposes from first aid supplies to business cards. The possibilities are endless!